Combining their incomes, the Crossman-Recore family household brings in about $75,000 a year (before taxes). Which sounds as if it should be enough, considering the poverty line for a family of four is $23,850. But Crossman says her family lives paycheck to paycheck. (Colleen Ingerto/518Life) Read more here

Combining their incomes, the Crossman-Recore family household brings in about $75,000 a year (before taxes). Which sounds as if it should be enough, considering the poverty line for a family of four is $23,850.

But with the reduced income and the increased mortgage, almost all of Amy Wink's monthly take-home income (about $2,000) goes to her $1,200 mortgage. Because she lives alone, she says she keeps the heat at a shivery 55, her lights off, and eats sparsely. (Colleen Ingerto/518Life) Read more here.

But with the reduced income and the increased mortgage, almost all of Amy Wink's monthly take-home income (about $2,000) goes to her $1,200 mortgage. Because she lives alone, she says she keeps the heat at a

A Siena College research poll conducted for the Times Union indicates that Upstate New Yorkers feel the best economic times are behind us. Click through the slideshow to find out more about our opinions of the state of the economy.

Tyler Minehan with his wife Jennifer Minehan and their two children Luke,2-years-old, and Grace, 5-years-old, on Thursday Sept. 18, 2014 in Malta, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

A Siena College research poll conducted for the Times Union indicates that Upstate New Yorkers feel the best economic times are behind us. Click through the slideshow to find out more about our opinions of the

According to most economists, the U.S. and New York went through a recession that started in 2007 and ended in 2009. In the seven years since the start of that recession, have we fallen behind on our bills?Yes:

According to most economists, the U.S. and New York went through a recession that started in 2007 and ended in 2009. In the seven years since the start of that recession, have we fallen behind on our ... more

How we feel about this statement, "It would be better to partially privatize social security and let individuals invest some of their own money in individual accounts rather than continue to have a totally government run program.": Strongly agree:

How we feel about this statement, "It would be better to partially privatize social security and let individuals invest some of their own money in individual accounts rather than continue to have a totally ... more

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How we feel about this statement, "We should lessen the social security benefit for those that retire with significant wealth. In other words, social security payments should be adjusted based on a person's assets.": Strongly agree:

How we feel about this statement, "We should lessen the social security benefit for those that retire with significant wealth. In other words, social security payments should be adjusted based on a person's ... more

Photo: AP

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If not already retired, do we feel we have a clear and organized plan to save for retirement that we follow?Yes:

50%. No: 49%.

If not already retired, do we feel we have a clear and organized plan to save for retirement that we follow?Yes:

50%. No: 49%.

Photo: freshidea - Fotolia

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At what age do we plan to retire? 65.8

At what age do we plan to retire? 65.8

Photo: Wendy Gold

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How confident are we that when we retire, we'll be able to maintain our current standard of living? Very confident:

25%. Somewhat confident: 36%. Not very confident: 22%. Not at all confident: 15%.

How confident are we that when we retire, we'll be able to maintain our current standard of living? Very confident:

25%. Somewhat confident: 36%. Not very confident: 22%. Not at all confident: 15%.

Jennifer Minehan does home work with daughter Grace, 5-years-old, as husband Tyler Minehan plays with their son Luke, 2-years-old on Thursday Sept. 18, 2014 in Malta, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Jennifer Minehan does home work with daughter Grace, 5-years-old, as husband Tyler Minehan plays with their son Luke, 2-years-old on Thursday Sept. 18, 2014 in Malta, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Which of the following two statements more closely match your thinking about the economy?

Which of the following two statements more closely match your thinking about the economy?

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Would you say that you and your family are better off?

Would you say that you and your family are better off?

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Upstate New Yorkers see a cloudy economic future, Siena poll finds

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The future ain't what it used to be.

Most upstate New Yorkers are convinced that the nation's best economic times are behind it, that future generations will have a less secure retirement and that job prospects will remain stagnant.

Those are among the results of a Siena College research poll on the economy conducted for the Times Union. A total of 751 upstate New York residents answered the survey, which was sponsored by Troy public relations firm Gramercy Communications.

They answered questions on the current state of their personal finances, their views on the overall economy and how well prepared they are for retirement in the second poll in a series called "How We Live: The Fabric of Upstate Life,"

Asked to choose between whether they think the nation's economic problems are temporary or "our country's best economic days are behind us," 64 percent took the more pessimistic view. The next generation, they said, should expect a lower standard of living.

More Information

About the project

The Times Union/Siena College Research Institute economics poll is the second part of a series of public opinion surveys on "How We Live: The Fabric of Upstate Life." The project was developed as a partnership between the Times Union and Siena College Research Institute. The poll is funded by Gramercy Communications.

The partners will collaborate with WMHT on a television program in which issues covered in the economics poll will be discussed. Watch for announcements about opportunities to participate as an audience member. The poll results of upstate New Yorkers have been weighted to adjust for variations in the sample relating to age and gender. Results will differ by no more than 3.3 percentage points. Results based on smaller sub-groups have a larger sampling error.

About Siena College Research Institute

Founded in 1980, Siena College Research Institute conducts regional, statewide and national surveys on business, economic, political, voter, social, academic and historical issues.

About Gramercy Communications

Gramercy Communications is an independently owned strategic communications firm based in Troy that provides public relations, public affairs and marketing services to clients in upstate New York. The firm's clients collectively represent over $5 billion in economic activity in New York state.

That view was held across all income levels, although those making over $100,000 per year or under $50,000 were less pessimistic than those in the middle.

"I think it's dramatic how they feel," said Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute. "There is a sense that our best days are behind us: 'Even if it's OK for me, it's not as good as it used to be.' "

He said the numbers are much worse than when that question was asked in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

"People thought it would get better, and it has not," Levy said.

Michael Nichols of Queensbury, a machine operator, said he worries about the future for himself and his two children.

"I don't think it's going to get better," he said. "It seems you take one step forward and two steps backward," he said. "They give you a raise at work but your health care goes up."

Mary Alice Askew of Schenectady said she believes how bright the future is will depend on income level. The wealthy will be fine, she said, but the poor and middle class will struggle.

"I see how permanent it is for many of us," said Askew, who receives disability payments for injuries sustained in car crashes. "A lot of us were poor before it happened."

Askew said she has a family member willing to help her out, but knows others aren't as fortunate.

"If it was just up to me, I'd be completely frightened," she said. "I just can't make it on my own on a fixed income."

Wilma Spoor of Coeymans, a retiree, worries about her five children, five stepchildren and eight grandchildren. They won't have it as good as she did, especially in their senior years, she said.

"They'll have to hustle a little," she said. "I worry more about them. I don't know where the money is going to come from."

Not everyone is a pessimist.

"The economy goes in cycles, some are bad, some are good," said Scott Mardon of Bethlehem, an information technology worker for New York state. "I think we are in an up cycle."

The father of two children in college, he is convinced they will be better off than he is.

"There is always progress as far as the technology, the environment," Mardon said. "Things are a lot better than they were (in previous generations.)"

Tyler Minehan, 35, of Malta takes a pragmatic approach. He sees a future where individuals have to plan their expenses more carefully.

"I am an optimist. I like to think it won't get worse," said Minehan, a physical education teacher at a small, private school. "I like to think it will get better. You always have that doubt in the back of your head."

The father of two, with a third child on the way, said he plans to teach his children from an early age to set money aside.

"It's all in how you prepare and if you are fiscally responsible," he said. "I think the future is just as bright for them. They may have to work a little harder and be a little stricter."

Asked what they think the state of the economy will be in 2024, 31 percent of the respondents are optimistic that it would improve, 49 percent think it would be worse and 24 percent expect it to be the same. People between the age of 18 and 24 are the most optimistic, with 42 percent saying life would get better.

Asked if a young person today has more opportunity than someone 25 years ago, 68 percent said there is less opportunity. The pessimism stretched across all generations.

Despite those negative views, the respondents' expectations for themselves were a bit brighter.

While 56 percent doubted the general economy will improve in the next year, 48 percent expect their own personal finances to improve.

At 26 years of age, Christopher Scully of Troy thinks he will be fine. An engineer, he nevertheless worries about the future for others of his generation.

"It seems we live in a very financially insecure world," he said. "We are facing difficult market forces and difficult challenges. The economic reality for my generation is different. There are fewer well-paying jobs. There is more of a service economy."

As for their current status compared to a year ago, the largest segment, 49 percent, said their personal financial situation is largely the same. Twenty-one percent say it has improved, while 29 percent think they are worse off.

"There is a sense of dogged optimism, almost illogical optimism, that somehow, some way I will be OK," Levy said.

Even so, signs of trouble emerged. Forty-three percent said they are in somewhat more debt than a year ago. Fifty-two percent are concerned they won't be able to maintain their standard of living and 48 percent said they spend more time worried about money.

More than a fifth of respondents — 22 percent — say they know someone who lost their home in foreclosure in the past 12 months. Fourteen percent say someone in their household had been laid off in the past year, although that number jumped to 21 percent for those making less than $50,000 a year and dropped to 3 percent for those making more than $100,000.

Nichols, the Queensbury machine operator, said his two children, ages 23 and 29, live at home. His son works part-time and while his daughter works for a retailer that limits her hours to avoid paying for health care.

Almost half the people surveyed said they do not have enough money saved to live off for six months, with that number leaping to 63 percent for those making less than $50,000.

Only 29 percent of people making more than $100,000 say they don't have enough money set aside if they have to go a half year without income.

More than a third of respondents say they had fallen behind on bills since the recession officially ended. That number jumps to 51 percent for the lowest wage earners and drops to 15 percent for the wealthiest.

Most people — 57 percent — say they are just breaking even, with their income and expenses equalling each other. Nearly a quarter of respondents say they are breaking bad, spending more than they made.

"How long does it take where you tread water and don't make progress before it saps the optimism from you?" Levy asked. "People told us 'I haven't had a raise in five years. How am I supposed to feel optimistic?' "